Surgical Weight Loss
Explore your weight loss surgery options.
Learn about the causes of obesity so you can move forward.
“Stop Playing the Weight-Gain Blame Game” offers insights into the causes of obesity, so you can move forward. Read the article for an overview of factors that can lead to weight gain, like genetics, health and environment.
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Your health can’t wait.
Many of our patients have struggled with their weight for years. The bariatrics team at Garnet Health Medical Center understands that the causes of weight gain can be complex. Call today, and we’ll discuss your weight loss options. Left untreated, obesity can reduce your quality of life, and excess weight may lead to other health concerns:
- Arthritis and other joint issues
- Cancer
- Chronic pain and reduced mobility
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease, such as coronary heart disease
- Hypertension
- Mental illness or eating disorders
- Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
- Stroke
Types of weight loss surgery we offer:
Gastric bypass
Gastric bypass is surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat.
The bariatric surgeon creates a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach by stapling it together. The surgeon then attaches part of the small intestine to the new pouch, effectively “bypassing” the part of the stomach that has been sealed off. This bypass reduces the number of calories and amount of nutrients the body absorbs.
Sleeve gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive operation for obesity that limits food intake but does not interfere with the normal digestive process.
The bariatric surgeon removes approximately 75% of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube or sleeve, which connects to the intestines. A smaller stomach physically restricts the amount of food consumption, and it also causes a significant decrease (by 90%) in the body’s release of ghrelin hormone (hunger hormone).
Gastric banding
Gastric banding is a restrictive operation for obesity that limits food intake but does not interfere with the normal digestive process.
The bariatric surgeon places an inflatable, adjustable band around the stomach near its upper end and fills it with a salt solution. This partitions the stomach into two parts and creates a small opening that allows limited food to pass through each section, resulting in feeling full more quickly and eating less.
Is bariatric surgery right for me?
If you’re interested in weight loss surgery, call us today to speak with a Garnet Health Medical Center weight loss specialist or attend one of our educational seminars. One topic we’ll discuss is body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight compared with height. You may be a good candidate for bariatric surgery if you have a:
- BMI of 40 or greater, which means you’re 100 lbs. or more over your ideal body weight
- BMI of 35 – 39.9 or higher and at least one obesity-related condition, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- Heartburn and reflux
- Depression
- Infertility
If you have a BMI of 34.9 or under, you are not a candidate for bariatric surgery. We encourage you to talk with your doctor, who can assist you in developing a weight loss plan.